As the parent of a 1999 freshman I have never complained of kids being held back and will never consider holding my kid back so can give the appearance of being bigger and "better". He has played up on many occasions in club and in school and has never used age as an excuse for someone beating him. He will end up better for it on the field and off. If a kid can only succeed by playing down and being held back he is the one who is at the disadvantage in the end when the younger kids mature and catch up. And he realizes he only succeeded when mom and dad put him up against younger kids. Only the parent of a kid held back will say the issue is "overblown". Those of us with kids who excelled "on age " against older competition are not complaining or making a big issue of this matter. But we do have pity for your kids. You only think the matter is overblown because of guilt
